Let's re-sign a couple of our own

[mgteich]

There are two openings that could be filled with qualified UFA's that played for the patriots last year. There has been little interest in them, so we should be able to afford them. The total cost will be significant (probably about the same as Springs), but two spots will be filled with skilled players that fit our system.

LEW SANDERS
He is the perfect utility player to be our #8 defensive back, our #3 safety for the moment.

MIKE WRIGHT
He is capable of starting in this league. However, he hasn't proved it to anyone but the patriots, who know him well. Given the fact that the patriots have one defensive lineman signed through 2010, a 3-year contract with Wright would help this year (no hole to fill) and next year when we might lose a DE to free agency.

And then we can relax until the draft, with headlines only when we sign jags or perhaps extend a player or two (Faulk and Green would be my choices).

 

[mayoclinic]

There are two openings that could be filled with qualified UFA's that played for the patriots last year. There has been little interest in them, so we should be able to afford them. The total cost will be significant (probably about the same as Springs), but two spots will be filled with skilled players that fit our system.

LEW SANDERS
He is the perfect utility player to be our #8 defensive back, our #3 safety for the moment.

MIKE WRIGHT
He is capable of starting in this league. However, he hasn't proved it to anyone but the patriots, who know him well. Given the fact that the patriots have one defensive lineman signed through 2010, a 3-year contract with Wright would help this year (no hole to fill) and next year when we might lose a DE to free agency.

And then we can relax until the draft, with headlines only when we sign jags or perhaps extend a player or two (Faulk and Green would be my choices).

I would be happy to see both. Wright would be worth bringing back, and should be affordable given the lack of interest and the ceiling established by Dallas' signing of Igor Olshansky. He would be a good re-signing given that Seymour and Green both have contracts expiring after 2009.

Much as I like Sanders, with Shawn Springs able to play both CB and S an even better (but more expensive, and possible unfeasible) alternative would be to resign Wright and sign Lee Bodden, who is still available and doesn't seem to be getting offers. Springs would then be the #3 S and additional CB. It's probably too expensive, but it would be nice.

And then, as you say, we can relax until the draft.

 

[mgteich]

I have no problem with Bodden instead of Sanders. I just don't think we can afford Wright and Bodden.

 

[Grizzafted]

i'd like to see some money get thrown at wilfork ASAP. maybe big sey too.

let the draft work itself out.

 

[Number 2]

I agree, the longer we wait on Wilfork the more expensive it is going to be.

 

[nantucketguy]

i'd like to see some money get thrown at wilfork ASAP. maybe big sey too.

let the draft work itself out.

i'd like to see some money thrown at me

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

I agree, the longer we wait on Wilfork the more expensive it is going to be.

They might be waiting because next year might be uncapped.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

There are two openings that could be filled with qualified UFA's that played for the patriots last year. There has been little interest in them, so we should be able to afford them. The total cost will be significant (probably about the same as Springs), but two spots will be filled with skilled players that fit our system.

LEW SANDERS
He is the perfect utility player to be our #8 defensive back, our #3 safety for the moment.

MIKE WRIGHT
He is capable of starting in this league. However, he hasn't proved it to anyone but the patriots, who know him well. Given the fact that the patriots have one defensive lineman signed through 2010, a 3-year contract with Wright would help this year (no hole to fill) and next year when we might lose a DE to free agency.

And then we can relax until the draft, with headlines only when we sign jags or perhaps extend a player or two (Faulk and Green would be my choices).

I'd like to resign both players. Also, what's the deal with Ventrone? I'd like to see him back next year as well.

 

[mgteich]

There is a question whether Ventrone was tendered. There was no announcement. He is an ERFA this year (no choice of team and minimum salary) and wouldn't have cost much. These tenders are often not announced until they are signed since they have no effect on the cap.

The bottom line is that I expect Ventrone to be back to join Slater, Alexander and Aiken as our special team specialists.

I'd like to resign both players. Also, what's the deal with Ventrone? I'd like to see him back next year as well.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

There are two openings that could be filled with qualified UFA's that played for the patriots last year. There has been little interest in them, so we should be able to afford them. The total cost will be significant (probably about the same as Springs), but two spots will be filled with skilled players that fit our system.

LEW SANDERS
He is the perfect utility player to be our #8 defensive back, our #3 safety for the moment.

MIKE WRIGHT
He is capable of starting in this league. However, he hasn't proved it to anyone but the patriots, who know him well. Given the fact that the patriots have one defensive lineman signed through 2010, a 3-year contract with Wright would help this year (no hole to fill) and next year when we might lose a DE to free agency.

And then we can relax until the draft, with headlines only when we sign jags or perhaps extend a player or two (Faulk and Green would be my choices).

I agree with both of these.

L.Sanders played pretty decent IMO.... especially given his cheap cost, he is a servicable back and has positional flexability.

Wright is also a decent backup. He is no Wilfork, but no team can afford two of those. For the most part, he gets the job done, which is all you can ask from a backup. He is not worth big money, but for the right price, he is a servicable backup who is even more important given the contract status of Wilfork and Seymour.

 

[Jimke]

Bill Belichick is not as soft-hearted towards his veteran players

as we are. Ideally, I hoped they would re-sign Evans, Hochstein,

Gaffney, Paxton, J. Sanders, L. Sanders, and Wright. This would have

been about one third of our UFAs. I was especially disappointed that

they let Paxton walk. I have a couple of pictures on my wall of

Vinatieri making the winning kick in the Snow Bowl game. What

followed was Paxton's snow angel.

 

[mayoclinic]

I would be happy to see both. Wright would be worth bringing back, and should be affordable given the lack of interest and the ceiling established by Dallas' signing of Igor Olshansky. He would be a good re-signing given that Seymour and Green both have contracts expiring after 2009.

Much as I like Sanders, with Shawn Springs able to play both CB and S an even better (but more expensive, and possible unfeasible) alternative would be to resign Wright and sign Lee Bodden, who is still available and doesn't seem to be getting offers. Springs would then be the #3 S and additional CB. It's probably too expensive, but it would be nice.

And then, as you say, we can relax until the draft.

Well, I was right for a change. We've signed Lee Bodden at CB, and Shawn Springs is the "new Lew Sanders" at CB/S. Quite an upgrade.

Now if we can bring back Mike Wright to solidify the DL we're all ready for the draft. Jason Taylor isn't likely to be an option because of the money he wants. The holes in the roster are dwindling fast, and we're loaded in a very deep draft.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

I would like to see Wright back. He is a very servicable backup on the DL. I just hope the Cards don't price him out of BB's range.

 

[mgteich]

I think that we still have enough cap room for Wright and a veteran wide receiver. These signings would allow us to be much more flexible as we approach the draft.

 

[Urgent]

According to Lewis Sanders' agent, the Patriots have shown no interest.
With the CB corps including Bodden, Hobbs, Springs, Wheatley, Wilhite, and Richardson, and a strong likelihood of a rookie in a deep corner class, there's really not much room for Sanders.

Both Bodden and Springs are bigger corners, and Springs at least offers safety versatility.

Wright would be very nice. Especially in the third week of free agency, when the prices start coming down. He's clearly the top Pats free agent still unsigned. With the incredibly cheap Bodden deal, the Pats can still afford him if Wright is reasonable. There will likely be at least one big DL drafted as well, whether of not Wright signs, given the contract situations with Seymour and Wilfork.

 

[APatrioticVirginian]

say no to sey

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

say no to sey

say no to 'apatrioticvirginian'

 

[BlitzFritz]

Guys,
I dont expect to see us sign anymore of our own. We need to leave roster room for some of these draft picks. You cant slide day one guys onto your practice squad. Mike Wright for example, was an ok back up, who really contributed on special teams. He can be replaced by drafting some real beef to ulitmately replace wilfork or seymour. I would expect to see us draft DL.

I also would expect us to draft LB and S. Lew Sanders, as another example, is an ok utility player, but he can be replaced thru the draft.

What do you think? I mean how many slots on the 53 are even still open. Just a couple I recall.

-- FRITZ

 

[Tyler.Durden]

Patriots FA's

Rosevelt Colvin, LB; Rodney Harrison, S; Larry Izzo, LB; Deltha O'Neal, CB; Lewis Sanders, CB; Junior Seau, LB; Kenny Smith, DT; Barry Stokes, OL; Tank Williams, S; Mike Wright, DT

I think the history of our relationship with Seau shows we would be open to letting Jason Taylor stay with his family until late into the offseason, he just has to stay on top of his fitness and get up to speed with the playbook.

 

[mgteich]

Plenty of spots are still open to upgrade. As is almost always the case with Belichick, the team will be complete without the draft. Then we can upgrade. To do that, we need to sign a DE, a WR and a FB. Those are openings in your sense.

OFFENSE (5 open spots)
QB backup
RB/FB BJGE is certainly not safe
#3 WR
OG I expect to upgrade Yates
OT O'Callaghan is certainly no lock

DEFENSE (6 open spots)
DE Adams is not likely to make the team.
OLB We should be adding one. We could add two.
ILB We should be adding one.
S We need one and could use two.

What do you think? I mean how many slots on the 53 are even still open. Just a couple I recall.

-- FRITZ